I had very robust colony which was killed off during a -29C cold snap in December. I plan to move a new queen and package into the hive in a few weeks (queen cells still being built). I intend to le ...

It will likely work out nicely in the end. I have split in August before and it has worked out - although in hindsite I wouldn't recommend it. I typically have nectar flow from wildflowers until Oc ...

To be clear, I am not advocating for sympathy nor for the beekeeper in question. I am simply advocating for the rule of law. In the US, a legitimate warrant must be served at the time of entry onto ...

It can be tricky. I like to lift the bars so enough so I can see with the sunlight but not enough to drop the queen. You should see tiny white eggs or else what will appear to be tiny white grubs in ...

I've had a couple top bars for a while and decided this Spring to add two more. I've only had them for a week and it is too early to tell if they have accepted the queen or not. They are drawing com ...

While Roundup is an herbicide it can also burn the skin when freshly applied. The notion of a Roundup-proof bee is quite odd . However, I can see how it would harm bees or any other insects present ...

Conserving wild bees

Research suggests that bumble bee boxes have a very low success rate in actually attracting bees into them. We find that if you create an environment where first of all you can attract mice inside, such as a pile of stones, a drystone wall, paving slabs with intentionally made cavities underneath, this will increase the success rate.

Most bumble bee species need a dry space about the size a football, with a narrow entrance tunnel approximately 2cm in diameter and 20 cm long. Most species nest underground along the base of a linear feature such as a hedge or wall. Sites need to be sheltered and out of direct sunlight.